Thursday, September 04, 2008

Includes: Kick-Off Event October 5th, National Free Night of Theater on/around October 16th, Target Family Day October 18th

Come out & PLAY! October 13th through the 19th when Theatre Puget Sound hosts Live Theatre Week 2008. This 4th Annual Live Theatre Week will be the biggest one ever with over 50 theaters and performing arts organizations participating at over 100 different events throughout Puget Sound . This 7-day theater festival is an all-access backstage pass to this region’s vibrant performing arts groups. It’s a once-a-year opportunity to connect with artists and experience the magic of live theatre in a completely different way.

Theater-lover Mayor Greg Nickels reminds us, " Seattle is home to many talented theater artists and adventurous audiences with an appetite for live performance. From edgy fringe theater to Broadway-bound musicals and Tony Award-winning playhouses, Seattle offers something for everyone. Live Theatre Week is a great way to sample our region's diverse theater scene and try something new."

2007 saw over 3000 participants attend over 90 different events in the Puget Sound region and 2008 promises to be even bigger. Hundreds and hundreds of people lined up around Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion at last year’s Kick-Off event. They all wanted to be the first to secure tickets to the Free Night of Theater. One night a year theaters all over Puget Sound offer up tickets that would normally range in price from $8-$80. The 2008 National Free Night of Theatre is on and around October 16th 2008 and this year’s Kick-off Event is on October 5th at Fisher Pavilion. Kick-off event attendees are the first to secure their free tickets to performances all over Puget Sound . Everyone else can secure their tickets beginning Monday October 6th by logging on to www.seattleperforms.com.

In addition to the wildly popular “Free Night,” dozens and dozens of other FREE live theater events will occur between October 13th – 19th all over Puget Sound . These events include: open houses, invited dress rehearsals, workshops, kid’s activities, receptions, play readings and artist meet n’ greets. Peek behind the scenes. Rub shoulders with artists. Be the first to hear and critique new works.And share the magic and imagination of live theatre with children on Target Family Day (Oct 18th). Listed below are just a few of the free planned events.The complete list can be found at www.seattleperforms.com/ltw. Interviews and special press access can be coordinated through Jennifer Rice at (206) 285-5175 or rice1234@yahoo.com

Theatre Puget Sound & Seattle Children’s Theatre: Family Workshops

TARGET FAMILY DAY! October 18; 2-6pm

Where: Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St – Seattle

Workshops led in both English & Spanish will allow families to explore their creative side. They will incorporate popular techniques that some of the regions finest teaching artists use, like Story Drama, where families read a book together and explore the story elements through acting, imagination, and interactive, multi-sensory props.

Eclectic Theater Company: Week-Long Odd Duck Studio Showcase

October 13 – 19; various times

TARGET FAMILY DAY! October 18; 4 pm

Where: Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave - Seattle

A new play reading on Monday at 7pm, an open house with WARP on Tuesday at 7pm, an improv class w/ Jed Rose of Quiet Monkey Fight on Wednesday at 7pm, a pre-show reception and Free Night of Theater performance of The Little Deathon Thursday at 7pm, a post-show discussion on Friday, a Halloween-themed Blood Squad performance and teen workshop on Target Family Day at 4pm and a Meet the Artists Receptionon Sunday at 4:30pm. Whew! What a week!

Performance Artist Marya Sea Kaminski: Reading of OCTOBER: 5 DAYS and A EULOGY

October 17; 2pm

Where: Washington Park Arboretum @ the Lookout Gazebo - Seattle

In this short reading, Marya relays the five days that followed her brother’s death and explores the complications of family, Autumn, and forward motion.

Wing-It Productions: Open Rehearsal for Over and Through

October 14; 7:30 pm

Where: Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE - Seattle

Inspired by "Alice in Wonderland," "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Pan's Labyrinth," this unscripted show will follow a child’s journey through a magical fantasy world populated by fantastical creatures, as she tries to find her way home. The show will feature a mix of actors, improvisers and puppeteers. This event is perfect for improv and comedy fans who want to see professional actors in action –up close and personal.

Taproot Theatre: Special Performance of Camp Super Friend

TARGET FAMILY DAY! October 18; 11am

Where: Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave N - Seattle

This beloved Bethany Wallace play play helps teach kids about forming friendships and appreciating differences.

Edmond’s Driftwood Players: Open Rehearsal & Halloween Party

October 18; 12:30pm

Where: Wade James Theatre , 950 Main Street - Edmonds

Open Rehearsal for their Halloween production of A Memory of Lizzie, chronicling the life and times of Lizzie Borden. The rehearsal will be followed by a talk-back and then a Victorian Halloween Party hosted by the notorious Lizzie Borden and her friends. Learn Victorian games, enjoy Halloween treats and soak in the world of Lizzie!

Seattle Repertory Theatre: Lobby Talk

October 16; 7pm

Where: Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer Street - Seattle

Enjoy this rare opportunity to meet, sit, ask questions and chat with actors, crew and artistic staff members from the Seattle Rep company. They will be on hand to discuss their work and contributions to the current season.

These 3 Tacoma theatres will join together to present excerpts from their upcoming mainstage productions that will likely include selections from South Pacific, Bunnicula, Much Ado about Nothing, The Leading Ladies, Lucky Stiff and Macbeth.

INTIMAN: Special Performance and Reading of All the King’s Men

October 15; 7pm

Where: Burien Library, 14700 Sixth Avenue SW - Burien

Join community leaders and special guests as they read excerpts from the actual script of All the King’s Men. This s part of INTIMAN’s very special Front Porch Theater and is one of a dozen casual readings at neighborhood gathering spots.The readings are followed by a conversation in which all the participants are invited to share their ideas about personal, social and political issues in their lives and our region.

Unicycle Collective: Going Solo

October 14; 7-10pm

Where: Theatre Off Jackson , 409 7th Ave South - Seattle

Ever dream of doing a solo show about your life? Join the Unicycle Collective for a Solo Performance Panel Discussion followed by a hands-on workshop that will walk attendees through the initial stages of an idea and jumpstart them toward a solo performance of their own.

DramaQueen: Seattle Women – “Having Our Say”

October 16, 17 & 18; 8pm

Where: Exact White Center location is TBA

Staged readings of short works by six Seattle-area women playwrights;

Stone Soup Theatre: Reception & Open Rehearsal for A Stoppard Duo

October 15; 6:30pm

Where: Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way North - Seattle

Meet the actors and director of A Stoppard Duo and then stick around for rehearsal. Learn to see the play through the actor’s eyes and get a taste of the physical, emotional and intellectual processes that occurs when a show is brought to the stage.

UW School of Drama, Village Theatre, WARP, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Wing-It Productions,

THEATRE PUGET SOUND (TPS) is a leadership and service organization founded in 1997 to advocate for the region’s growing theatre community’s causes and administer much-needed services. TPS is now the Northwest’s premiere arts advocacy and leadership organization. TPS has a two-fold mission: To promote the spiritual and economic necessity of theatre to the public, and to unify and strengthen the theatre community through programs, resources, and services. TPS serves more than 1,400 theatre practitioners and 145 organizations within our region. In addition to Live Theatre Week, TPS sponsors workshops and seminars, regional auditions, manages affordable rehearsal and performance space in the Seattle Center House, produces the Seattle Performs Theatre Guide, and coordinates and promotes events which strengthen and celebrate our local community.

LIVE THEATRE WEEK - In 2005 the Seattle City Council unanimously passed Resolution 30765 which established one week each year to be known and celebrated as "Live Theatre Week" in Seattle. Theatre Puget Sound capitalized on this proclamation and began producing an annual Live Theatre Week festival in the Puget Sound region of Washington State . The festival functions as a bridge between our region’s performing arts community and the public at large – extending a collective invitation that transcends cultural, social, racial and economic barriers. The open door philosophy inherent in the Live Theatre Week programming creates a true culture of generosity that encourages participation and personal investment in our theatres, while simultaneously building relationships, strengthening neighborhoods and creating access to and awareness of our region’s performing arts opportunities. Live Theatre Week is an annual festival taking place during the third week of October.

NATIONAL FREE NIGHT OF THEATER - Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for professional not for-profit American theater, developed National Free Night of Theater as an audience development initiative and to raise public awareness about live theater. The idea germinated in 2003 in response to the field-wide threat of declining audiences. National Free Night of Theater launched in 2005 andhas expanded to include 120 participating cities and close to 700 theater companies, introducing 75,000 new theatergoers to professional theaters in their community. The program has been designed to help stimulate attendance at live theater through an annual nationwide event and public awareness campaign. The goal is to put aside the inevitable competitions and work together to overcome the perceived barriers of price and time that discourage patrons from attending live theater. As the program continues to expand across the country, TCG has established partnerships with arts councils and local arts service organizations. More than 30,000 free tickets were distributed in 2007 by local theaters via the program’s national interactive website, www.freenightoftheater.net.For 2008, the goal is to give away 75,000 tickets to over 1,000 performances nationwide.